against him skillful officers who had been taught the art of war, and
the methods of victory under Nelson. Brave and highly disciplined seamen
in whose vocabulary defeat had had no place, with recruits like Perry's
taken from the army, and an auxiliary force of Indian sharp-shooters.

The character of a naval engagement is not to be determined alone by the
number of men, the tonnage of the ships, or the weight of the metal
involved in the conflict. These are elements to be considered, and in
the battle of Lake Erie all of these elements were against the American
fleet, but the surrounding and attending circumstances, the conduct of
the battle, and the results depending upon its issue are the
considerations which go to make the place in the minds of succeeding
generations which the event is to occupy. History has not had committed
to it for preservation the story of the organization of a fleet, and the
conduct of a battle the result of which was more dependent upon the
genius, knowledge, energy, and courage of a single individual, than was
the battle of Lake Erie.

Other commanders have fought in ships completely equipped for service by
other hands, but Perry had to construct, equip, arm and man his ships,
and in person to take two of them in succession into action; and it may
be well questioned whether he is not entitled to as much credit for his
intelligent comprehension of the wants of the occasion, his energy, and
perseverance in collecting the materials to supply those wants, and in
making up his fleet, as for his genius and courage in action.

Perry, in the beginning, was unfortunate in having succeeded an officer
who, in the engagement was his subordinate in command, and in
anticipating a ranking officer in bringing on the conflict; but the
surrounding circumstances and the positive orders of the Secretary of